The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-07-01
MR.. nLopoErr.s REPORT.

Mr.. +. s. Blodgett has addressed the
following letter 10 the-council relative to
his investigations here in connection
with the sewer matter. The letter will
be read to the council at its meeting this
evening.
ST. PAUL, June 25, 1887.
To 5. +. Alberger, Chairman of Com. on
Sewers.
Dear Sir:-I presume you are anxious
to make prompt report to the common
council in the matter of your plan of
sewerage for the City of MankatO, in or
der that early action may be had pre-
paratory to commencing the work of
construction of the sewerage works for
your city.
Through the courtesy of your commit
tee and city engineer, was assisted in
examining portion of your city with a
view of informing myself in relation to
your wants for sewerage plan, and the
proper disposal of sewerage and rainfall
] soon discovered that the subject had
already been examined by Mr.. Loweth,
c. f., of st. Paul, and who, some three
or four years ago, prepared scientific
and efficient plan for your sewerage
works. The lapse of time since the pre-
paration of his plan of sewerage, has
somewhat changed some circumstances
relative thereto, in certain localities,
which would suggest some changes of
plan, that would probably be approved
by him, and would, in my opinion, add
materially to its efficiency in the drain
age of the ground and disposal Of sewer
age.
| Judge that the location of your water
inf, La hot ItV, nd
ington streets, cut an important figure
i'm determining the location of the out
fall sewer of his plan, and that he decid-
ed the matter by locating it in Washing
ton street instead of Plum street, simply
| because the water intake was located i'm
Plum street, which, however, was un-
doubleday most conveniently situated
for the outfall sewer. At present there
seems to be no valid reason existing for
continuing the water intake in Plum
street, therefore no valid reason why
| the outfall sewer should not be changed
to that street, as such change will mate.
rally enhance the efficiency of the sew
erage works, and reduce the cost of the
work. In view of the foregoing, would
suggest that the main sewer be placed
i'm Plum street, from Fifth street, direct
to the river, instead of being placed al
at present shown by your sewerage
plan. and the minor sewers placed in
the sire cts where the mains are now
| shown.
As further improvement to YOU
sewerage plan / would suggest that the
main sewer, as now shown in Second
street, be placed i'm Front street, and the
minor sewers, now shown in From
street, be placed in Second street; anC
the water line of Front street sewers, 81
changed, be made one or two feet lower
than is at present shown on the plan
thereby giving better drainage to very
valuable business property on From
street near Poplar street, at the same
time increase the velocity of flow in thu
pipe sewer between Poplar and Hickory
streets. | would suggest also, that NJ
portion of the Front street pipe sewe
between the natural water course neal
Poplar street and Hickory street, b,
constructed of size less than IL inches
internal diameter. There should be n,
overflow pipes used for catch basins, o
less than inches internal diameter.
believe it is in the interest of tn,
public generally to discharge the surface
water that does not readily flow I,
natural water channels, though the sew
ers in that portion of the citp lying be
tween Fifth and Front streets. Surface
water during the prevalence of rail
storms and thawing snow in winte
. time, causes great inconvenience an,
sometimes much damage, and in M,
opinion, the increased cost in the con
slruction of such sewers as will tax
away such water in such u manner a
, will entirely do away with such Incon
venience, and liability to damage is no
commensurate with the increased con
venience and safety.
have thus referred to the change
, that were suggested to my mind in tn
, short time devoted to the investigation
|, of the subject and believe the changes s
suggested are SO plainly improvement
ofthe plan, under existing circumstance
that there should be no difference @
opinion regarding them, In the pro
gress of the development of your sewer
age system there will doubtless be me
unforeseen circumstances that will re
quire a divIatIon from the general plal
3 of sewerage, but the solution of sue
questions will be readily suggested t.
the mind of your city engineer as b
, progresses with the work.
Very great credit is due Mr.. Louth 70
; his great painstaking in your behalf, an
: his very efficient plan of sewerage pre-
; pared for you.
Thanking you for the many courtisie
received at your hands.
am very truly yours, ETC.,
+. s. BLoDGETT.